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Name Pendant necklace with openwork floral medallion and bead drops

Jewelry

A costume necklace consisting of a cable-link chain with a spring-ring clasp, supporting a circular openwork pendant. The pendant is gilt base metal worked in a filigree-style manner: a central raised rosette of stylized petals or teardrops surrounded by a lattice/openwork border within a beaded rim. The pendant hangs from a decorative bail. Three drops dangle from the lower edge — two smaller ornamented spherical beads flanking a larger plain spherical bead suspended from a fluted, cone-shaped cap — giving the piece a pendulous, somewhat folk- or revival-style character. The metal throughout has a warm gold tone. The chain shows extensive blue-green corrosion (verdigris) along its length, indicating an oxidizing copper-alloy base metal beneath the gilding; the pendant retains more of its gilt finish. General wear, dulling, and tarnish are consistent with age and use.

2025.1.98

Necklace

Bought in Le Trianon by María A. Arús Caraballo and used by her and by María A. Cabrera Arús.

The Cabrera Arús family collection

María A. Arús Caraballo collection

2025.1

Materials Gilt copper-alloy / gold-tone base metal (chain, pendant, beads, clasp); evidence of verdigris corrosion confirms a copper-bearing alloy rather than solid precious metal. Technique Cast and/or stamped openwork pendant with applied raised ornament (imitating filigree); cable-link chain; spring-ring clasp; suspended bead drops on small jump rings. Surface gilded/plated.

Fair

María A. Arús Caraballo

owner

María A. Cabrera Arús

wearer

Havana

Cuba

Caribbean

Central America

use, purchase

New Jersey

U.S.A.

North America

use

The folk/revival filigree styling was a popular mid-century fashion idiom.

The style could also predate 1959, and nothing on the object fixes it.